News:

Make your neighborhood the first to qualify for the new "This is an Appleseed-certified community" sign - reach out to your neighbors! Want to have riflemen neighbors? Get them to an Appleseed.

We need volunteers in sales, marketing, PR, IT, and general "running of an organization". Maximize your Appleseed energy to make this program grow, and help fill the empty spots on the firing line! An hour of time spent at this level can have the impact of ten or a hundred hours on the firing line... Want to help? PM Fred...

Fantastic group of 16 Americans came out on a picture-perfect (pre-)fall Michigan day (low 70s, no humidity, no wind) to soak up instruction in marksmanship and American heritage.

We had a rifleman minted (no...actually forged...Sandy BLEW THREW with a 234) and we have at least 4-5 shooters solidly knocking on the door with high 190s, low 200s.

Young shooters who were attentive, safe and improved. Day 1 is in the books and looking forward to day 2.

And since the dog was home alone all day, here's what I came home to...

« Last Edit: September 15, 2012, 10:58:33 PM by SteelThunder »

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

It was fantastic weather as you said. The instructors were incredible, and I met some fantastic folks on the firing line. SW Michigan is a great place to learn how to be a rifleman, or to practice rounding up cattle.

It started out with my trip to the range. Chilly morning, headed east on a narrow tree-lined country lane, trees overhanging, pastures blanketed with morning fog, and the sun just breaking over the horizon. Coulda sworn I could see a long line of Redcoats with gleaming bayonets on the march from Boston...

Again, picture perfect weather. Lessee what we had+ Incredibly motivated students (have you ever seen students refuse to go to lunch so they could stay and score their AQTs?)+ Good laughs, camaraderie and history all around+ 4 riflemen minted!+ 3 new Bluehats!+ Smacking steel with AR15s and M1As over at the 200 yard range for KD+ Ripping through a belt of .308 on an M1919A4

Wait, what was that? M1919? Oh, yeah, the winners of our fun shoot got to put some rounds downrange on a M1919A4 BMG - semi-auto with a crank. Sort of a modern-day Gatling gun Good fun...THE SOUND OF FREEDOM!

Congratulations Sandy, John, Kevin and Goon on your Riflemen score! Good job men and we look forward to having you come back. Julie, Jo, Phyllis - ladies your perseverance and improvement were a model for all to follow. Maddie, Madie, Brian, Vince - it was great to have such attentive and enthusiastic youth on the firing line...love it (although I can still beat you down to the target line). John, Tom, Dennis, Jeff, Kevin - as always gentlemen, it was an honor to be with you during the weekend. For those of you who haven't hit "the score" you are on the path so DRY FIRE, DRY FIRE, DRY FIRE!

NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

I just want to give a big shout-out to all the instructors this weekend...Gentlemen, you guys are not only excellent teachers, historians, and speakers, but truly inspirational individuals.The amount of personal time, expense, time away from family, effort you put into the study of your subject... Not to mention how much of yourselfs you put into each and every student, is remarkable.I know you guys know that your students appreciate what you do, but I not sure you realize how much we appreciate each and everyone of you for doing it.Thank you for be our instructors gentlemen.

Shooters and instructors alike are exhausted at the end of a shoot. But comments like yours, and seeing students soak in the history, "get" a marksmanship concept, or stay after a shoot to talk, makes it all worthwhile.

Looking forward to seeing you at the next event!

ST

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

Thanks very much to the instructors for sticking around on Saturday to let me shoot a second AQT. My, ummm, targeting error on the first one was very annoying, and since I wasn't able to make it on Sunday, it was a relief to have a chance to redeem myself, rather than leave patchless again.

Oh, and I did manage to limp the car all the way back across the state on Sunday, in only 5 and a half hours. Woohoo.

We missed you on Sunday, Sandy. You missed 3 more riflemen, a fun shoot, smacking steel at the 200 yard range and a chance to run a belt of 30 cal through my Browning M1919A4!

Oh well, need to get you to the next one...

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

"If you really want something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse." "Heart felt doesn't come from reading words on paper""Riflemen don't shrug and walk away... They roll up their sleeves and stand firm."

NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

October 20-21 at Bend of the River in Niles MI. Hint, Hint, Hint, Hint....

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

Once my body heals from Mike's punishing AQT pace, I'm going to get out and practice what I was taught. THEN, I will be back out there to earn that patch. Besides, I can't remember any of the names from our history lessons (that's got to be poor teaching there... Can't be my memory)... What was I saying...

Once my body heals from Mike's punishing AQT pace, I'm going to get out and practice what I was taught. THEN, I will be back out there to earn that patch. Besides, I can't remember any of the names from our history lessons (that's got to be poor teaching there... Can't be my memory)... What was I saying...

Yeah, Steel it's me. How did you even guess that?

Yes, he was cracking the whip on Sunday...

Your location gave it away...and I'm holding you to coming back. Don't forget, Niles MI at Bend of the River on October 20-21. Keep going while it's fresh!!

NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

"If you really want something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse." "Heart felt doesn't come from reading words on paper""Riflemen don't shrug and walk away... They roll up their sleeves and stand firm."

Thanks again to a great group of instructors. Congrats to Steel on his Green hat. A surprise appearance from Santa Burbs bearing gifts of football tix. Thanks to all the Blue Hats. Thanks to the scouts for the lunches. Thanks to the range for having us.

I am going to an IL Appleseed this coming weekend (Sun only) to see if I can bust through that 210 barrier. Wish me luck

Are you taking one of Keith Hafer's classes? I have taken a defensive pistol, defensive shotgun and defensive carbine class from him. He's pretty good - long time SWAT instructor and currently teaches at the nuke plants and Berrien Springs' police department. I'll be taking Defensive Pistol II and Low Light from him this fall.

Definitely try to come out on Sunday to Niles! You can start pounding away at AQTs after a quick refresher morning and I bet (just bet) you'll bust through.

Come on!

ST

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

Thanks again to a great group of instructors. Congrats to Steel on his Green hat. A surprise appearance from Santa Burbs bearing gifts of football tix. Thanks to all the Blue Hats. Thanks to the scouts for the lunches. Thanks to the range for having us.

I am going to an IL Appleseed this coming weekend (Sun only) to see if I can bust through that 210 barrier. Wish me luck

Lowrider (Jeff??)

Good luck buddy!! It's been great watching you at Bellevue get the basics down and then really rev up that score at Watervliet. Go show 'em how it's done over in Illinois!

Just don't forget your Michigan friends!

ST2

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

Yeah Steel, I signed up for pistol I, pistol II, and low/no light (December? Brrrrrr!)I even let Keith talk me into buying a Surefire flashlight. I'm just a sucker for a pretty face. I'm stoked about these classes . Almost as much as Appleseed So then you and I will be in II and low/no together? That will be cool!Unless you laugh at my inability to hit a target with a pistol... You thought I was bad with a rifle...

BitelySam

I tried this once,but it didnt go through.THANK YOU guys for all your help and your dedication to your teaching.Iwas excited when I finally shot RIFLEMAN.Steel you will probably see Tom in Niles.I have Keith,and about three other people waiting for the next Musk. shoot.T C , Steel James Superheat and Grindstone it is refreshing to see a group ofmen so dedicated to another mans success again thank you.If you need help blue hatting i will do what I can let me know. Kevin

I tried this once,but it didnt go through.THANK YOU guys for all your help and your dedication to your teaching.Iwas excited when I finally shot RIFLEMAN.Steel you will probably see Tom in Niles.I have Keith,and about three other people waiting for the next Musk. shoot.T C , Steel James Superheat and Grindstone it is refreshing to see a group ofmen so dedicated to another mans success again thank you.If you need help blue hatting i will do what I can let me know. Kevin

Kevin

You have been an instructor's "dream". You showed up at Muskegon full of knowledge but very willing to learn and try new things. You soaked up skills, applied them and left still raring to go.

Then you came to Watervliet and raced out of the gates. I KNEW you'd make Rifleman and am proud to have had a very small part in helping you get there.

If Tom is amenable, have him send me an email...would love to keep in touch with him and "encourage" him to come to Niles

Also, send me a PM with your email address and we can talk about volunteering/Blue Hat opportunities

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NRA Patron Member, SAF Life MemberNRA Certified Rifle Instructor, RSOWarlord of the West

Ultima vox civis"Learning occurs only after repetitive, demoralizing failures." - Pat Rogers"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil; God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." -- Tecumseh

Bitelysam,Blue hat? We need you to take an orange hat! Send kris or me your phone number and he can explain what's involved and how awesome it is.

Peter

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"If you really want something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse." "Heart felt doesn't come from reading words on paper""Riflemen don't shrug and walk away... They roll up their sleeves and stand firm."